The School of Hard Knocks is an idiomatic phrase meaning the (sometimes painful) education one gets from life's usually negative experiences, often contrasted with formal education. The term was first coined by American columnist George Ade in 1912[1], and re-popularized by the song "It's the Hard Knock Life" from the 1977 musical adaptation of Annie, which chronicles the life of poor, uneducated
orphans. It is a phrase which is most typically used by a person to claim a level of wisdom imparted by life experience, which should be considered at least equal in merit to academic knowledge. It is a response that may be given when one is asked about his or her education, particularly if they do not have an extensive formal education but rather life experiences that should be valued instead. In the UK, the phrases "University of Life" and "School of Hard Knocks" may be used interchangeably. A common usage of the term is to insert a name in front (such as The Apollo Creed School of Hard Knocks) to provide an air of intimidation, fear, or respect, and sometimes even to spare possible humiliation due to lack of a formal education.
